Post-Ops: what did you stock up on?

I'm going through the list of things I need to obtain before surgery -- things I'll need for the weeks immediately following surgery and here's what I've got so far: Chicken broth Sugar-free drink mixes here's what I need to get: Vitamin Supplements Protein Powders Boost SF Jell-O Powdered Milk What other things will I need? I'll have about three weeks worth of time on my hands and I want to make sure I'll have the things I need ahead of time.. suggestions are welcome! Thanks! Stef

Stephanie, I do not know if you have been to see Dr Kane's dietician yet but they will give you a list of things that you need to get. At least that is what my husband got was a list of suggested liquids from Dr Rantis's dietician who is also Dr Kane's dietician (since Kane and Rantis are in practice together). They have a company that they suggest that you get items from and one of them is Beneprotein powder. I even use that in some of my protein drinks to add more protein to it, it adds 6 more grams to what ever you are mixing. And there is a protein jello mix that they have. I know, it sounds funky but it is called Gelatin Plus Mix and comes in cherry (I really like this flavor) or orange. It is pretty darn good. It is like a cross between pudding and jello. It has egg whites in it to give it protein. If I remember correctly you do not even cook it, just wisk it for about 3 minutes then put it in cupcake tins to refridgerate and gel. The name of the company that provides the product is called Tad Enterprises out of Tinley Park. I have an extra order form that I could fax to you if you email me your fax number. Also, you could add to your list SF Carnation Instant Breakfast. You can get it at Dominicks, at least that is where I found it, but have seen it at Jewel also I think. I just saw it at Sam's Club on Sunday. Add skim milk to your list also. Just keep in mind you do not have to get all of your liquids for those weeks while on the liquid portion of the diet because you are going to go stir crazy being at home and will want to get out. Have someone drive you to the store and use one of those motorized carts or walk a little with someone else pushing the grocery cart. Make sure that you try some of the protein drinks first before you are PO to make sure that you like them. Don't get too much Boost you will get tired of it. As far as your broth, one can is going to go a long ways, I got tired of drinking it even though it tasted like heaven when I finally was able to have some. I think that you can also have SF juices or if they are not SF what I had to do was cut it with 1/2 water. Also, get yourself some bottled water if you do not want to drink tap water. I found that a gallon of water or milk was too heavy for me to pour from without being too uncomfortable. That is just a few things that came to mind. Christine

I'm another for Beneprotein!!! It's by Novartis. I have some if you'd like to try it. (It's nice that I'm so close! LOL) It is tasteless, flavorless, smellless(is that a word?). It's great! It's $10.99 a can but you can put it in ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING. Bottled water is great. Tap water makes me sick. It's NASTY!!!! Boost Breeze is also a "clear" liquid. Call me if you need more ideas! Smooches Melissa

DO NOT buy Broth or Jello I will sell it to you REALLY REALLY CHEAP! Don't worry about Vitamins either! HELLO VITAMIST! Powdered Milk? That's a new one to me. You'll be out of those phases before you can blink and will have a STOCKFRICKINPILE of that stuff that you won't want ANYTHING to do with. LOL Just come and shop in my pantry. Everything's a quarter!

I would not have LIVED without sugar-free popsickles! Sugar free yogurt - however, the dates don't last that long, so don't buy too early! Sugar-free carnation instant breakfast Different flavors of decaffinated hot teas (if you like tea) Celestial Seasonings has a new Blueberry that's to die for! Splenda packets Plastic baby spoons Dixie Cups A hand held mixer (Walmart $10) Ice shaver (I found one at Kmart on clearance for $10 last week) Propel waters - different flavors (my favorties are Orange and Lemon) Crystal Light Minute Maid Light Lemonade, Raspberry Passion and Mango cans Instant Mashed Potatos

I wholeheartedly agree with Katie S re: SF popsicles ... I would not have lived if I hadn't had them ... And the snow-cone, ice crusher thingie is great too ... (helps on the teeth as well!!) SF carnation instant breakfast ... i had that almost every day, too ... and it has quite a bit of protein (7 if i remember) ... and was using soy milk which added more protein ... Only other thing I had a LOT of were the nectar protein drinks ... i found them much more tolerable than the thicker mixes ... Best of luck to you, Stef!! (and thanks for the daily dose of diva wisdom ...I enjoy reading them!) Nancy